Breakfast links: The expansive, expensive parking lot

70 percent empty? Mission accomplished

A $9.3 million parking garage built by the City of College Park remains 70 percent empty and takes in only $100,000 per month. Despite this, city officials claim their project is a success, since the garage’s poor performance is slightly better than it was a few months ago. (Gazette)

Parking policy goes mainstream

GMU economics professor Tyler Cowen explains the high cost of free parking in the New York Times. His post about the article on his blog, Marginal Revolution, created a lively discussion.  (Tip: David C)

Making payment a pleasure?

The Post summarizes DDOT’s experiments with parking meter payment technologies, including pay by plate, pay by space and pay by phone.

Live Free and Stop on NH

We told you they would be coming and provided you the first video of them in action. Now DDOT has made its own short video on how to use the new bicycle stop lights and bike boxes at 16th and U Streets NW. (YouTube)

Dumbstruck

The dump truck driver who hit a US DOT employee in the crosswalk at 1st and M Streets SE earlier in the month has not been charged with any infractions. After a meeting between MPD, DDOT and US DOT, a no-turn-on-red restriction was imposed at the intersection from 7am to 7pm. (TBD On Foot, FastLane)

VDOT chooses parking and riding over TOD

In a familiar VDOT vs. Arlington County scenario, the state agency pushes for keeping and increasing the number of parking spaces at East Falls Church Metro station, while the county pursues a vision more focused on transit-oriented development. The tussle is important since VDOT controls crucial rights-of-way involved in the redevelopment plan. (Sun Gazette, charlie)  (Tip: charlie)